Ground Control any new opinions?

[Dunkee]

Searched but can't find a direct answer. I got a 89 coupe strictly for daily driving. I wanted to lower it some, like 1/2 inch above wheels so I figured GC would be best. I have an S14 now w/ Tein Flex and to me that's too stiff for these streets so I'm looking for softer than that. What spring rate / shocks should I use? I was thinking 275 fr / 225 rr should I go stiffer or softer? Are KYB's ok for this set up or should I pay more and get Koni's...which is easier to install? What do I need to do to avoid a noisy suspension? And finally, where's the cheapest place to buy both GC and shocks? Any help would be appreciated TIA

[Yoshi]

the GC debate has been huge here in years past, what do you mean u searched?

To surmise: GC's are good, but not as good as a full coilover setup... people arguing otherwise are pretty silly. Back when I got my first set (2001), there were no companies like Megan making dirt cheap full coilovers... just people that made OEM replacment dampers, and craptastic companies that made things like Dropzone's sleeve-type coils. There were a lot of companies doing this, and since people are prone to lower cars too far for the dampers to handle, coupled with buying dampers like KYB GR2s or tokico blues (I think it was blue that was the straight oem replacement); the end result was lots of 240s bouncing around like civics with cut springs, and very low-life. All this gave sleeve coils a bad rep, and GC went down with them, it took much arguing to prove to ppl otherwise.

As things stand now, if you have the intention of actually racing, then something like the cheap Megan coilovers are probably the way to go, there's a $100-$300 dollar difference tween the 2, depending on where u go, or who you know.

Short answer: IMO GCs rock. They've been used for everything, street to strip to drift.
My S13 has them and AGXs now.
My car sees very little in the way of actual mileage, and the the breakdown of it's use when it IS running around is 70% cruising around town, 25% practicing balding my tires, and 5% actual events. With that sort of split, comfort is slightly ahead of performance, so my setup is ideal. Should my plans go thru, and my 240 becomes a track only car, then full coils is the goal.... otherwise what I have is MORE than sufficient.

From what you've said, I'm betting it's the same for you.
Since there are so many options for spring tensions, there's no one to blame but yourself if you don't like how they end up feeling :D

Now try searching again if you want the details.

helpful guidelines for GCs:
- TALK to Ground Control! Their ppl are amazingly knowledgable and very nice. They can help you get the right spring rate for your specific uses.
- DO NOT just buy some dampers if you're planning to use them with GCs... they have specific instructions at GC for specific damper models. Call them. This will also help you NOT get a bad match for your specific spring/damper/application.
- GC springs are Eibach made. One of the biggest and most reliable names in suspension... import or otherwise. With other companies, who knows what you get, but i"m betting it's from china, with steel to match.
- DO expect your car to be lower. Maybe S14s are diffferent, but my S13 is a good inch or so lower than stock with the height adjusted to it's highest
- DO NOT drop your car to the floor on dampers that are not short stroke. You'll be okay for a while, but depending on how much stress u put them under, they're going to blow WAY faster than if you were at a reasonable height (or had proper SS dampers).

[Dunkee]

the GC debate has been huge here in years past, what do you mean u searched?

To surmise: GC's are good, but not as good as a full coilover setup... people arguing otherwise are pretty silly. Back when I got my first set (2001), there were no companies like Megan making dirt cheap full coilovers... just people that made OEM replacment dampers, and craptastic companies that made things like Dropzone's sleeve-type coils. There were a lot of companies doing this, and since people are prone to lower cars too far for the dampers to handle, coupled with buying dampers like KYB GR2s or tokico blues (I think it was blue that was the straight oem replacement); the end result was lots of 240s bouncing around like civics with cut springs, and very low-life. All this gave sleeve coils a bad rep, and GC went down with them, it took much arguing to prove to ppl otherwise.

As things stand now, if you have the intention of actually racing, then something like the cheap Megan coilovers are probably the way to go, there's a $100-$300 dollar difference tween the 2, depending on where u go, or who you know.

Short answer: IMO GCs rock. They've been used for everything, street to strip to drift.
My S13 has them and AGXs now.
My car sees very little in the way of actual mileage, and the the breakdown of it's use when it IS running around is 70% cruising around town, 25% practicing balding my tires, and 5% actual events. With that sort of split, comfort is slightly ahead of performance, so my setup is ideal. Should my plans go thru, and my 240 becomes a track only car, then full coils is the goal.... otherwise what I have is MORE than sufficient.

From what you've said, I'm betting it's the same for you.
Since there are so many options for spring tensions, there's no one to blame but yourself if you don't like how they end up feeling :D

Now try searching again if you want the details.

helpful guidelines for GCs:
- TALK to Ground Control! Their ppl are amazingly knowledgable and very nice. They can help you get the right spring rate for your specific uses.
- DO NOT just buy some dampers if you're planning to use them with GCs... they have specific instructions at GC for specific damper models. Call them. This will also help you NOT get a bad match for your specific spring/damper/application.
- GC springs are Eibach made. One of the biggest and most reliable names in suspension... import or otherwise. With other companies, who knows what you get, but i"m betting it's from china, with steel to match.
- DO expect your car to be lower. Maybe S14s are diffferent, but my S13 is a good inch or so lower than stock with the height adjusted to it's highest
- DO NOT drop your car to the floor on dampers that are not short stroke. You'll be okay for a while, but depending on how much stress u put them under, they're going to blow WAY faster than if you were at a reasonable height (or had proper SS dampers).
Thanks for all the info Yoshi. I did search...actually read a lot of your posts. I have been on these boards for quite a while. I remember the debates. I was originally gonna get the GC for my S14 but as you mentioned the got a bad rep so I went w/ Tein. I was gonna call GC but I wanted to get some new input from ppl who used them for a bit longer first.

[ranisron]

well, I don't have GC on my 240SX, but I do have GC with KYB GR2 on my U13 (Altima). They do make quality components, and for the altima, I have 350/250lbs front and rear, and all I could say, the car rides better (for DD purpose) than my 240SX with AGX + Tein Plates + RSR Race springs (5kg fr, 4.xkg rear). My 240sx is whole lot stiffer comparing to the Altima even though the spring rate on the Altima is higher (Altima runs on macpherson (typo) strut type in the front, and fully independent suspension in the rear).

I know a lot of people vouch for Koni yellow, so you cant' go wrong with that.

[drift freaq]

Koni makes short strokes though they are not cheap. My RB car currently has GC/AGX on it because I had the suspension sitting around. The shocks and the parts were brand new, so I put them on. The car rides pretty damn nice, stiff and controlled, but not over the top uncomfortable.
I am seriously thinking of doing a GC/ short stroke koni setup. It would be as good as most any already made coilover setup out there. Koni's are not to be sneezed at. They are used in Formula One and a lot of other high end racing. Ask guys in Japan what kind of struts they like, they will say Ohlin,Koni,Bilstein,Aragosta long before stating the Japanese manufacturers. This does not mean the Japanese coils are bad, though it does mean the European manufacturers they consider supperior to their own. They also have respect for Ground Control setups and have heard of them.
Its mainly 240sx,MR2,Supra and RX7 owners in general that tend to punk GC's. I won't say why this is because its my opinion and it would probably piss some people off.
Talk to the 510,240z, SER crowd and they love em. Same goes for a lot of Honda owners( ya i know Honda owners sounds bad hahahha)

[Dunkee]

Yeah I've been reading and it seems Koni is the way to go. Only thing I'm comtemplating is the spring rate.

[HyperTek]

back in 99-01 when you didnt have any options, Ground Control was the best bet. Now there are alot of compettitve coilover manufactures, and with any set of real coilovers as your first set, you cant loose, weather it be megan racing, D2, tein or buddy club, you will love your first set.

[Dunkee]

back in 99-01 when you didnt have any options, Ground Control was the best bet. Now there are alot of compettitve coilover manufactures, and with any set of real coilovers as your first set, you cant loose, weather it be megan racing, D2, tein or buddy club, you will love your first set.
I remember those times...I did get coilovers for my S14. I bought HEs when they were the shit but didn't drift so was no good for me, changed to Flex. Now I have a S13 coupe which I want to use as my daily driver. I don't need crazy performance just decent lowering w/ decent handling and ride. Coilovers are too much for the street...it's funny cause ppl out there really aren't aware of that.

BTW does anyone know where's the best place to buy GC w/ Koni? Checking google but no luck so far, only find rinky dinky sites.

[PITCH]

This has also been a debate with me. I've been looking into suspension options also. I will mainly DD my 97 S14 but plan to do some autocrossing mabey just to try it out once I swap my KA or turbo it. Other than that the kouki will be for DD.

I had Ground Controls paired up w/ height adj. Koni's on my previous car (an acura legend) . The custom spring rates were awsome option. My first set was 250 Rear/ 350 Front. This set-up was a very smooth ride on 35 series 19's. Also the car was lowered about 3 inches. Also I ran a 415 on the front And that was pretty decent for DD.

Also had JIC SF-1's on my acura. Now this was a track setup w/ 10KG front and 7KG rear. Man they were wayyyy stiff for the street. But the handling was like sex. LOL

Only thing I didnt like was that the spring shift. Due to the car being so low the gapping between the upper and bottom perch caused the springs to have play and rub the coilover sleeve.

The price also is kind of a deterrent. For the price of GC + konis or any other struts you could buy a set or MR's, Tanabe, or KSports..

You can try shox.com for the pair of GC/Konis..

[Dunkee]

This has also been a debate with me. I've been looking into suspension options also. I will mainly DD my 97 S14 but plan to do some autocrossing mabey just to try it out once I swap my KA or turbo it. Other than that the kouki will be for DD.

I had Ground Controls paired up w/ height adj. Koni's on my previous car (an acura legend) . The custom spring rates were awsome option. My first set was 250 Rear/ 350 Front. This set-up was a very smooth ride on 35 series 19's. Also the car was lowered about 3 inches. Also I ran a 415 on the front And that was pretty decent for DD.

Also had JIC SF-1's on my acura. Now this was a track setup w/ 10KG front and 7KG rear. Man they were wayyyy stiff for the street. But the handling was like sex. LOL

Only thing I didnt like was that the spring shift. Due to the car being so low the gapping between the upper and bottom perch caused the springs to have play and rub the coilover sleeve.

The price also is kind of a deterrent. For the price of GC + konis or any other struts you could buy a set or MR's, Tanabe, or KSports..

You can try shox.com for the pair of GC/Konis..

Thanks bud. I forgot about them.

[sunnys14]

who sells GC coils for 240sx's? i CANNOT find any sites that sell them...

[EchoOfSilence]

http://www.ground-control-store.com/products/description.php/II=73

http://www.ground-control-store.com/products/description.php/II=74

[Paseo564]

I have the gc/koni set up and I can honestly say it is great for comfort and great for light track use. The damper's are infinitely adjustable so it can be set for whatever you want, and the range of adjustment is between soft and firm is very noticable. Compared to other suspensions I've had(TEIN HE AND FLEX) This is superior by FAR. Bouncing around on these JDM coilvers is very disconcerting on the street. The Konis stayed grounded and keep traction,which is important. The only possible downside is the fact that koni only supplies inserts so, you'll have to cut up your OEM struts to fit it. YES, it was a PIA but it was completely worth it.

[Dunkee]

Which spring rates did you use? Do you have to do the same for the rear shocks and are KYB inserts? I'll prob still get the konis, just curious. If I like GC on my S13, Im gonna sell my Flex on my S14 and go w/ the same setup.

[Paseo564]

No, the rears are not like that.THey are also Koni's not KYB. You just have to use the OEM top mount and GC supplied Top hat.


Which spring rates did you use? Do you have to do the same for the rear shocks and are KYB inserts? I'll prob still get the konis, just curious. If I like GC on my S13, Im gonna sell my Flex on my S14 and go w/ the same setup.

[Dunkee]

No, the rears are not like that.THey are also Koni's not KYB. You just have to use the OEM top mount and GC supplied Top hat.

Wow 9kg front, 7kg rear...and that was a more comfortable ride than Tein Flex? I'm def switching to GC. Oh and I meant do you have to use the stock struts for KYB (I'm aware that you have Koni) just wondering if you knew. I think I read that they are complete. I just wanted to verify.

[24Dee]

Wow 9kg front, 7kg rear...and that was a more comfortable ride than Tein Flex? I'm def switching to GC. Oh and I meant do you have to use the stock struts for KYB (I'm aware that you have Koni) just wondering if you knew. I think I read that they are complete. I just wanted to verify.


KYB are complete.... Koni rear shocks are inserts iirc...

[jmauld]

KYB are complete.... Koni rear shocks are inserts iirc...
The koni front shocks are inserts. Rear shocks are bolt-on. The insert installation is cake, and is really a non-issue to anyone with a dremel and a drill.

As for the GC's. Good product, bad service. I wanted custom spring rates and thought the best thing would be to order directly from GC.

Here's my story.

Wednesday, I call GC and ask for a particular setup, and that I wanted it overnighted to me, so I could install on Saturday and race on Sunday. "No problem" they said. They shipped them on the following Tuesday and I got them on Wednesday. Thanks! I paid overnight shipping and got it the product a week later.

Next problem, they had reversed the spring rates. I had asked for 550lb rear and 450lb front. They sent me 520lb front and 430lb rear. When I called they had "assumed" that I couldn't possibly want the rate I was requesting so they sent me what they thought I should have. After some conversation, they agreed to send me a spare set of springs so I could get the setup that I wanted. Two weeks go by and I haven't heard from them. Call them again, and they claimed that I was supposed to send one set of springs back and they would send me the replacement springs. I told them I couldn't do this, because it would take down my car since I had already installed the kit.

Several weeks go by and I get a new set of springs. Still not the springs that I had asked for. They said no prob, send them back and they would fix it. After I sent them back, they stopped trying to fix the situation. That was two years ago, maybe they have improved their customer service, but my advice to you would be to order the parts from NOPI or your favorite dealer who is willing to help you out.